How can I help care for my computer from viruses?

How can I help care for my computer from viruses?

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caring your computer from viruses and other threats isn't difficult, but you have to be hard-working.

• Install an antivirus program. Installing an antivirus program and keeping it up-to-date can help defend your computer against viruses. Antivirus programs scan for viruses trying to get into your email, operating system, or files. New viruses can appear daily, so check the antivirus manufacturer's website frequently for updates. Some antivirus programs are sold with annual subscriptions that can be renewed as needed, but many are also available for free. Microsoft offers Microsoft Security Essentials.
• Don't open email messages from unfamiliar senders, or email attachments that you don't recognize. Many viruses are attached to email messages and will spread as soon as you open the email attachment. It's best not to open any attachment unless it is something you are expecting. Microsoft‌ Outlook and Windows Mail help block potentially dangerous attachments.
• Use a pop-up blocker with your browser. Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear on top of the website you're viewing. Although most are created by advertisers, they can also contain malicious or unsafe code. A pop-up blocker can prevent some or all of these windows from appearing.

• Keep Windows updated. Periodically, Microsoft releases special security updates that can help protect your computer. These updates can help prevent viruses and other computer attacks by closing possible security holes. Make sure that Windows receives these updates by turning on Windows automatic updating
• Use a firewall.‌ Windows Firewall or any other firewall program can help alert you to suspicious activity if a virus or worm attempts to connect to your computer. It can also block viruses, worms, and hackers from attempting to download potentially harmful programs to your computer. To learn more about Windows Firewall,
• Use your browser's privacy settings. Being aware of how websites might use your private information is important to help prevent targeted advertising, fraud, and identity theft. If you're using Internet Explorer, you can adjust your Privacy settings or restore the default settings whenever you want.
• Turn on User Account Control (UAC). When changes are going to be made to your computer that require administrator-level permission, UAC notifies you and gives you the opportunity to approve the change. UAC can help keep viruses from making unwanted changes. 
• Clear your Internet cache and your browsing history. Most browsers store information about the websites you visit, and information that websites might ask you to provide (such as your name and address). While it can be helpful to have these details stored on your computer, there are times when you might want to delete some or all of them, for example when you're using a public computer and don't want to leave personal information behind.

How can I protect my computer from viruses?

Follow these steps to 'vaccinate' your computer against most damaging viruses.

Step 1: Install anti-virus software

This software is different to Spark's email anti-virus filter, and adds another layer of protection against viruses.

Why anti-virus software
As a Spark customer, you automatically get protection from known viruses that travel by email. But viruses can also spread in other ways, such as via the Internet or being passed from one computer to another on a floppy disk or CD.
When new viruses do appear, there's usually a small time lapse between when they're first detected, and when anti-virus software is updated to block them.
There is a small chance you might receive email with a malicious attachment before Telecom's email anti-virus filter can block it. That's when having anti-virus software on your computer can be extremely useful.

How anti-virus software works
Once you have installed anti-virus software on your computer it will automatically scan files as you open them to make sure your computer isn't infected.
Better still, if you do have a virus on your system, most anti-virus software will automatically take out it.

Keep it up-to-date
Anti-virus software is regularly updated with information about the latest viruses. It's important that you regularly download software updates from the Internet to protect yourself from the newest threats.

Where can I get anti-virus software?
We recommend you use Spark Security Suite, which makes it easy to protect your computer from internet threats. Powered by award-winning technology from McAfee, the security suite combines anti-virus with all the other tools you need in one easy solution.

Step 2: Update your Microsoft Windows software

Microsoft regularly reviews its software to fix any security problems that viruses might exploit. To make sure your software is protected as well, you need to regularly update it. If a problem is discovered, Microsoft will develop a security 'patch' to fix it. The patches are small programs designed to fix a particular problem.

When Microsoft releases a new security patch you can download it from the Internet for free and install it on the version of Microsoft Windows you're using.

How to update your Windows software
The easiest way to update your Windows software is to use the automatic 'Windows Update' feature, which will automatically update your software whenever you are connected to the Internet.

To run Windows Update, follow these steps:

1. Close any files or programs running on your computer
2. Open Internet Explorer and connect to the Internet
3. Click the Tools menu
4. Select Windows update
5. You may be asked to accept a security certificate, click Yes
6. You will then be asked to scan for updates.
7. Click Scan for updates
   When the scanning is completed, a list of available updates will be displayed
8. Pick the updates you want to install from the list and follow the prompts from there.

Once the installation is completed you may be prompted to restart your computer

Step 3: Install a firewall on your computer

Having a firewall on your computer is like having a security guard on your front door - you can see who's at the door before you decide if they can come in.

A firewall checks everything that tries to connect with your computer over the Internet. If the firewall thinks a hacker or a virus is trying to break in, it will block it.

Use the firewall that comes with Windows XP

If you're running Microsoft Windows XP software you can use the firewall that comes with it.
To turn on the firewall Microsoft Windows XP

1. Make sure you're not connected to the Internet
2. Click Start then Connect To then Show All Connections.
   If you have Windows XP set to Classic View there is no option for Connect to in the Start menu
3. Double click on the Spark Internet icon. This should take you to the Connect to Telecom page. Then click on Properties
4. In the Internet Connection Firewall section select the Advanced page tab, and select one of the following:

5.       

• To turn on the firewall, select Protect My Computer and Network by Limiting or Preventing Acess to this Computer from the Internet
• To turn off the firewall, clear the Protect My Computer and Network by Limiting or Preventing Access to this Computer from the Internet check box

Top 10 tips for solving common computer problems

Top 10 tips for solving common computer problems:

1: My computer is slow

The most common problem of all. A slow computer can cause many frustrations, but fortunately there is something you can do yourself before you replace it. There may be several reasons for a slow computer; however, the most common is lack of maintenance. Fragmented data, a corrupted registry, spyware and dozens of unnecessary programs running at the same time, easily eat at the speed and performance of your PC.

Tips: Keep track of your programs. Remove those of which you never use or shut them down when you've used them. Clean your registry with one of the many free or paid applications available for Windows. These two initiatives alone will easily be able to make your PC up to 30% faster. Also, run Disk Derangement and stop unwanted programs starting with Windows by running MS config:.

2: My computer freezes

Also a common problem, but it is far more serious than a slow PC. In most cases it is caused by viruses, especially spyware that has been installed on your computer. It can enter via a click on a link to a fake website from an email or so on. Often the email is being sent from what looks like your bank, Paypal, Facebook or similar. Last year Security registered an increase in Waldemar infections coming from Facebook-related fraudsters among their customers.

The problem can also be caused by hardware - perhaps some memory you just installed - or recent software updates, including Windows Update.

Tips: Check the link you are clicking by holding the cursor over it to see the link's full address. Does it look suspicious? Never give out your passwords or credit card information to anyone, even if it seems like your bank requires you to verify your account. It's a clever phishing trick that hackers use to gain access to your money. Make sure your antivirus and anti-spyware software is updated. Most antivirus programs can be set to automatically to check for new updates. If you are sure that your computer is spyware free, the problem may be due to outdated hardware drivers. Check your hardware drivers for updated versions. Outdated drivers can cause your computer to stop responding and freeze.

If you suspect the problem is hardware related, you can try uninstalling any component you recently installed, or try removing or unplugging unnecessary hardware one piece at a time then booting your PC to see if the problem goes away. You can also try using Windows Restore to roll back to a previous restore point.

3: I forgot to backup my data

Unfortunately, backup is still an overlooked security task for many home users - until the day it is too late. Important documents, photos, music libraries and emails are automatically stored on your computer's hard drive, which is a mechanical and electrical device. When it breaks down (and it is when, not if) this data will disappear forever. Even if you have a warranty from the hard drive manufacturer, it does not cover your data, it only replaces the hard drive with a new one.

Tips: Find a solution that automatically makes backup to an external hard drive, server or cloud service. If you choose to back up to a hard drive, make sure that it is not placed near your computer as in case of fire it will also be destroyed. Backup should preferably be an automated process that operates independently of whether you remember it or not. Online backup solutions have the advantage that you can access your data from anywhere in the world. They are not affected by natural disasters, and most online services guarantees 100% security by providing backup to their backup.

4: I get bombarded with adware and my home page has changed

Many do not notice that they often accept a new toolbar when they download free programs such as Adobe Reader. For example Adobe Reader now offers the Google Chrome internet browser as part of its download. Whilst Adobe and Google are reputable companies, other free downloads may install toolbars or other applications that can contain malicious code that hijacks your browser and changes all the settings. So your home page for example is changed to another website that you can't then change back. At the same time, annoying pop-up messages with advertisements for products you've never asked for are constantly displayed on screen every time you try to browse the internet.

Tips: Read the conditions before downloading a new program and pay attention to what you allow. If damage is done, it can be difficult to remove the program. The best bet is to follow the instructions found when looking for information about the specific problem on Google. There are probably others who have had the same challenge and have described the solution on the internet. If you are not so technical, professional PC support may be the solution.

5: I cannot get online

Internet connection problems can be caused by many different things. The most common are network misconfiguration, hardware or software errors in the router, latency from your Internet Service Provider, incorrect IP address configuration, incorrect connection of network cables, firewall applications that block http traffic from your PC or temporary timeouts your ISP.

Tips: Check that the Wi-Fi is enabled on your computer - laptops often have a button, switch or Function key combination somewhere on your computer or keyboard. Check that the network icon on your computer is connected or if there is a yellow warning signal or it is disabled. If it is connected, call your network provider or get hold on someone with more knowledge on IT.

If Wi-Fi is disabled, you must check whether the cable is connected properly or if wifi is not on. If there is a yellow warning, you must reboot the router. If this does not work, try pressing Start in Windows XP, Vista or 7 and typing "cmd" into the search box and click enter. Then a black box pops up where you can type "ipconfig / release" then "ipconfig / renew". If the internet is not working now, call your ISP.

6: My computer turns off by itself

Typically this is due to dying power supply, bad cable connections, defective battery or overheating when the computer shuts down by itself to cool down.

Tips: Check first of all that the cables are properly connected. If the computer is very hot, check if the fan needs cleaning of dust. If it is a laptop, check whether your battery has deteriorated over time and may need to be replaced.

7: My Smartphone will not synch with my PC

In order to ensure backup of your Smartphone, it is important that you regularly synch your phone content with your computer. When synchronization does not work as expected may be due to various factors, depending on the type of Smartphone and PC. Sometimes it is required that all programs are closed, during synching or backup.

Tips: Close open applications, if required. Be sure to download or reject the proposed updates that pop up along the way, so synchronization can be done. Look for the icon of synchronization to appear and check if for example the latest photos on your Smartphone have been transferred to the computer. Verify the user manual for your device.

8: My wireless network is unstable

 An unstable wireless network is a very common problem. It can be caused by everything from radio waves that interfere with the signal to the router's location in the home or outdated network drivers.

Tips: If you suspect that it may be your cordless phone, the electric garage door opener or your radio that interferes with the wireless connection, it may be an idea to change the radio wifi settings or to move your router. The latter can also be a solution if you have trouble going online around the house or in the garden. You can also buy a wireless repeater to extend the signal. Also make sure that your network driver is always up to date

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9: I cannot print from the web

Most of us have had the need to print tickets or documents that we ordered or downloaded from the web. If your computer's pop-up blocker is turned on, this can cause you to not be able to print. There are also PDF documents that are rights protected by passwords and therefore not printable.

Tips: Allow temporary pop-ups. You can find legitimate programs that can break the code in a protected PDF document, but they are usually only legal to use if you or your workplace have the copyright to the document.

10: My computer makes strange noises

If your computer suddenly starts to buzz or vibrate, it can be due to a hardware failure. High, whining noises may indicate problems with the electrical components, while buzzing noises are often caused by lack of ventilation.

Tip: Clean the filter and fan for dust and make sure that all air inlets are free. If you have a laptop, you can try to uninstall and reinstall your sound drivers. If it is a desktop, it may be that the sound card needs replacement.